Three To See Is Back!! – The Weekend’s Football (29.8.09 – 31.8.09): Manchester United, Bayern Munich, AC Milan

Having taken a refreshing break during the European close season, now that most of Europe’s major leagues are again up and running we are delighted to announce that Three to See is back and raring to go. Three to See is a regular feature on Just-Football.com in which we train our beady eyes on the cream of upcoming fixtures prior to the weekend’s action and recommend to you three games you should definitely try and catch if you can. And there just so happen to be some cracking fixtures taking place this weekend to coincide with our return. So without further ado, here’s what we’ll be watching:

1, Manchester United vs Arsenal (English Premier League) 17.15 GMT, Saturday 29th August 2009

The first ‘big four’ game of the Premier League season takes place this weekend as champions Manchester United take on Arsenal. Arsene Wenger’s men have started the season like a house on fire, and by that I don’t mean they are burning down. Rather, they have been torching down the sensibilities of their opponents; scorching Everton’s pre-season optimism (if there was any to start with), compounding the gloom at Portsmouth and incinerating Celtic’s Champions League hopes. 10 goals in 2 league games has everbody in the media fawning over just how great ‘Arsene’s young guns’ (TM) are again and with Thomas Vermaelen settling in instantly at the back and Wenger’s new 4-3-3 formation yielding impressive results confidence is high in the Arsenal camp.

Now though, comes their first big test. Manchester United away may not represent the daunting task it did last season, but a trip to Old Trafford to re-ignite what has always been a heated, if recently latent rivalry, still goes down as a big challenge for the Gunners. United’s start to the season has been somewhat unpredictable – functional against Birmingham City, woeful against Burnley and then magnificent in the second half at Wigan. As such, this game gives us a chance to assess just how United are shaping up in what is a relatively new era for Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad.

Cesc Fabregas may miss out, though Wenger has played the ’supposedly injured then mysteriously fit again’ card many times before, but even without him there is enough talent in both sides to ensure this will be a hugely intriguing fixture and a proper chance to assess both team’s title credentials ahead of a long season.

2, Bayern Munich vs VfL Wolfsburg (German Bundesliga) 17.30 GMT, Saturday 29th August 2009

Unfortunately for those without Tivo/Sky+ etc this game is on at more or less exactly the same time as United v Arsenal, but if you do have the chance to record and watch it later do so because this is a fascinating fixture. At any time in the past 20 years this would be no considered little more than a home banker for Bayern against an average, run-of-the-mill team. But not this year. This year Armin Veh takes his Wolfsburg side to the Allianz Arena as Bundesliga champions, and all the mighty Bayern can do is look on green with envy.

After 2 draws and a shock defeat to Mainz, Bayern Munich have made their worst start to a league season for 43 years. For every action there is a reaction though, and so to make up for this embarrassing nonsense Bayern have gone out and splashed millions on the signing of Dutch winger Arjen Robben who joins from Real Madrid. Robben will wear the number 10 shirt and is free to make his debut against Wolfsburg.

As you might expect from a Wolfsburg side that earnt a reputation last season as the entertainers due to their eminently positive attacking football, last season’s two fixtures between these teams yielded 12 goals. Bayern won the home fixture 4-2, coming back from 2-0 down in a superbly entertaining match, while Wolfsburg’s 5-1 decimation of Bayern in the return clash is still considered one of the most powerful demolition jobs in recent Bundesliga history. Given Bayern’s unconvincing start and the fact they have something to prove against the champions this is definitely one to watch.

3, AC Milan vs Inter Milan (Italian Serie A) 19.45 GMT, Saturday 29th August 2009

In 1899, a group of English immigrants in Italy founded AC Milan football club. By 1908, disagreements about the dominance of Italian players and issues regarding the signing of foreigners caused factions within the club, eventually causing an irreparable split. Those who were unhappy about the status quo left AC Milan and went off to form their own club. They called it Internazionale. Over 100 years later, the rivalry goes on.

The 2009/2010 Serie A season is but a week old and already we have a top quality fixture to look forward to. The derby Della Madonnina is upon us.

Heading into the game, on the back of capturing Wesley Sneijder from Real Madrid, Inter coach Jose Mourinho is feeling pretty confident. “Sneijder completes my team. I had asked for a defender, a midfielder, a trequartista, and a striker, and I got everything. Now we are complete,” the Portuguese coach told Italian reporters, and Inter certainly do have a new look about them compared to last season. Samuel Eto’o, Thiago Motta, Lucio, Diego Milito and Marko Arnautovic will all experience the passion of the Milan derby for the first time on Saturday, and it must be said that such quality additions give champions Inter the edge on their more frugal neighbours heading into the new season.

Milan coach Leonardo for his part is wary about the threat posed by Inter going into the clash at the San Siro. “It is a derby and anything is possible. Maybe Inter have more certainties, because they are coming from a winning era, but it’s difficult to make predictions,” offered the Brazilian coach. It will be interesting to see how the relatively inexperienced manager handles things tactically against such a shrewd tactician as Mourinho.

AC Milan started their league campaign with a 2-1 win at Siena last weekend, with Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho showing that they have the potential to make up for the absence of the now departed Kaka. Inter struggled on the other hand, and could only draw 1-1 with Bari. A result is tough to call, but my only prediction is that Samuel Eto’o will score.

How do you think these three games will pan out? Which games will you be watching this weekend? Comments welcome.

AC Milan, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Inter Milan, Italian Serie A, Manchester United, Three to See, Vfl Wolfsburg